Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 18
May 4, 2008Q. 46. How dost thou understand these words, “he ascended into heaven”?
A. That Christ, in sight of his disciples, was taken up from earth into heaven; [a] and that he continues there for our interest, [b] until he comes again to judge the quick and the dead. [c]
Q. 47. Is not Christ then with us even to the end of the world, as he has promised?
A. Christ is very man and very God; with respect to his human nature, he is no more on earth; but with respect to his Godhead, majesty, grace and spirit, he is at no time absent from us. Matt.28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Heb.8:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Matt.26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. John 16:28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. John 17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. Matt.28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Eph.4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Eph.4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Q. 48. But if his human nature is not present, wherever his Godhead is, are not then these two natures in Christ separated from one another?
A. Not as all, for since the Godhead is illimitable and omnipresent, [a] it must necessarily follow that the same is beyond the limits of the human nature he assumed, [b] and yet is nevertheless in this human nature, and remains personally united to it.
Q. 49. Of what advantage to us is Christ’s ascension into heaven?
A. First, that he is our advocate in the presence of his Father in heaven; [a] secondly, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that he, as the head, will also take up to himself, us, his members; [b] thirdly, that he sends us his Spirit as an earnest, [c] by whose power we “seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, and not things on earth.” [d]
